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Ferrari Should Target Podiums, Not Race Wins - Alonso

Fernando Alonso admitted that his Ferrari squad should tackle the upcoming races in the F1 calendar in a realistic fashion and target podium finishes, rather than race wins.

After admitting, in a press preview for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, that Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull seems to be out of reach for the time being, the 2-time world champion now urged his team to speed up development aerodynamically in order to catch up with the reigning world champions.

There are no secrets in F1,” said Alonso. “Aerodynamics are still the main thing for performance and if we are some gap behind the leaders it is because we need to improve aerodynamically, mainly, so we will try to do it as soon as possible. We know the championship is long so we need to score as many points as possible.

Then when we have a competitive car, we need to deliver the win - but at the moment we need to be more realistic – honest with ourselves and perhaps think of the podium as a main target.”

Podiums were actually within Alonso's reach in both Australia and Malaysia races, but a poor start in the former and a failed late attack on Lewis Hamilton in the latter caused him to finish outside the Top 3, on 4th and 6th, respectively.

Furthermore, while admitting excitement over his car's behavior in the Sunday race, the Spaniard continues to be puzzled by the 150 Italia's poor pace in qualifying, where he poses no threat whatsoever to the Red Bulls and the McLarens for the top positions on the grid.

Obviously in qualifying we are struggling a little bit more than the race pace for different reasons as well, maybe one is tire temperature which I don't believe,” added Alonso. “Maybe when the car is okay, and when everyone puts new tires on, everyone delivers a good lap and then in the race it is more difficult to do 58 laps in qualifying mode.”
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